Container



p 1954 J. P. HAMILTON 296889433 CONTAINER 7 Filed March 18. 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 55 5/ 45 44 49 l I I j I l 4 34 a4- I I 56 s IN V EN TOR.

Joseph Porfo/a Ham/#00 EC/(HOFF a! 5/. /C ATNEYS A 3' W ,mmmw mm M A MEMBEA? OF THE lew Sept. 7, 1954 Filed March 18, 1952 J. P. HAMILTON CONTAINER ILL gull 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Joseph Porfo/a fhmi/fon 117a NEYS A-4L1. l2 A MEMBER or THE Fl Patented Sept. 7, 1954 CONTAINER Joseph Portola Hamilton, San Francisco, Calif., assignor to Charles Dreifus, Jr., San Francisco,

Calif.

Application March 18, 1952, Serial No. 277,195

2 Claims.

This invention relates to boxes or containers, particularly suited for handling of perishable fruits and vegetables, and which are generally referred to as lug boxes, shipper boxes, LA lugs, apple boxes, and the like. Such boxes are usually manufactured largely of Wood and, with a growing scarcity of this essential material, the expense of such containers is increasing. In accordance with this invention, I provide a lightweight container which can be manufactured so inexpensively that it can be expended after one use, the only wood utilized being in the form of small strips provided to receive and retain the nails employed to secure bottom cleats and a lid.

It is in general the broad object of the present invention to provide a box of a one-piece construction from an inexpensive and readily available foldable stock such as corrguated paper board and which can retain fixtures attached by nails.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a box which can be made of a foldable stock such as corrugated paper board and which does not require any adhesive, stapling or stitching for its assembly and which will yet permit a lid to be attached by nails with the usual lidding and nailing machines.

The invention includes other objects and features of advantage, some of which, together with the foregoing, will appear hereinafter wherein the present preferred form of box embodying this invention is disclosed. In the drawings accompanying and forming a part hereof, Figure l is a plan view of the preferred form of blank.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a modified form of blank.

Figure 3 is a plan view of another modified form of blank.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective View of a portion of the container during assembly, the blank utilized being that shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view illustrating the end construction of a container assembled from the blank shown in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a section through an end construction of a container assembled from the blank shown in Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a container assembled from the blank shown in Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a cover suitable for affixing to the container shown in Figure '7.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing the blank of Figure 1 undergoing assembly.

Figure 10 shows the blank of Figure 1 When partially assembled.-

Figure 11 is a plan view of a blank showing the blank in one stage of manufacture by printerslotter construction.

Figure 12 is a plan view of the blank shown in Figure 11, but at an advanced stage in the course of manufacture by printer-slotter construction.

Figure 13 is a view of the blank of Figure 12 when partially assembled.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of an insert which can be utilized to distribute the load on the bottom.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to that form of the embodiment which is exemplified in Figure 1, a blank is generally indicated at 3| this can be made of any foldable stock. One useful form of foldable stock is the usual corrugated board wherein a corrugated paper sheet is fixed between two spaced parallel planar paper sheets. One can also use chipboard or any other sheet material suited to the end use of the container. In the blank shown in Figure 1, the corrugations preferably run from left to right, that is, transversely of the blank, as it appears in this figure. The blank includes a main panel 32 of a size and shape approximating the total exterior dimensions of the final container and usually providing the bottom of the container. The blank includes intermediate or first side wall panels 33, joined to the bottom 32 along each side thereof, and adapted to be moved into a position normal to the bottom about crease lines 34. Outer or second side wall panels 36 are joined to the first side panels 33 and are hinged about spaced crease lines 31' and 38 into a position wherein the outerside panels are within the final container with one face on a panel 36 against a face of a first panel 33. Each of the first panels 33 is continued at each end by compression support flaps ll and 42 hinged respectively about crease lines M and 45. The second wall panels 36 are each continued by other compression support fiaps ll and 48, these also being hinged respectively about crease lines 49 and 59.

The main panel 32 includes a first or inner end panel 55, an intermediate panel 52 and an outer end panel 53 at each end, the first end panel 58 being movable about crease line 54 on the main panel 32, while the intermediate and outer end panels are hinged about crease lines 55 and 56. The distance of crease line 54 from crease line 55 and the distance between crease lines 55 and 55 is such that when panel 53 and panel 5| are parallel and opposite each other, the width of the free space between them is equal to the total thickness of the fiaps or panels M, 42, M and 48 when these are inter-engaged or inter-leaved, as

3 is shown in Figure 9, and as will be further explained.

In accordance with this invention, the compression support flaps 4| and 42 are separated from the adjacent end panel portions by a stripped section 51, that is, the material between each of the indicated compression support flaps 4| and 42 and end panels 5|, 52 and 53 is removed. The outer edge or terminal side of each flap 41 and 48 is also cut away as at 58. This space is such that when flaps 4|, 42, 41 and 48 are moved into support position, a free space is provided between these and the bottom 32 of an extent sufficent to permit a wood strip 6| to be placed in nailing position between the bottom 32 and the compression support flaps, as is shown in Figures 4 and 5. It is also to be noted that the adjacent edges or terminal sides of panels 4| and 41 and of panels 42 and 48 are cut away as at 51A a distance sufiicient to permit these panels to fit beneath intermediate panels 52 and provide a free space therebetween to receive a wood strip 62, as in Figures 4, 5 and 6. Also, the end panels 53 are separated from the adjacent compression support flaps 4| and 42 by a stripped section 59. This distance is only suliicient to permit of frictional engagement of the end panel 53 with the interior of the container as provided by side panels 36 and thus retain the container in assembled position without riveting, stitching, or the use of adhesives.

Crease perforation 49 of each compression fiap 41 is offset a distance from crease line 44 of each fiap 4| which is sufficient to permit compression flaps 42 and 48 on the opposite side to fit between, as appears in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 9, with a wood strip along each edge and with the four flaps confined. Instead of interleaving the fiaps in this manner, they can be alternated, that is, instead of being interleaved in the order of flaps 41, 48, 42 and 4|, as is shown in Figure 9, they can be arranged in the order 41, 48, 4|, 42 by altering the relation of the crease lines about which the flaps are hinged.

The blank shown in Figure 2 is like that of Figure 1 except that cut-out portion 51 between compression flaps 4| and 42 and end panels 5| and 52 and the cut-out portion 58 have been omitted so that the compression support flaps fit snugly against the bottom of the bottom 32 upon assembly, as appears in Figure 6, wood strips 62 being utilized only at the top of the container. In the structure shown in Figure 3, space for wood strips BI is provided only at the bottom of the container and not at the top by omitting the cut-out portion 51A along the outer edges of the compression support flaps.

When manufactured, the blank is typically of the configuration as appears in Figures 1, 2 and 3. For shipment, the side panels 4| and 41 and 42 and 48 are folded upon crease lines 31 and 38 and are in turn folded about fold lines 34 into that form which appears in Figure 10. The blanks are thus arranged in compact form for shipment in a stack.

When it is desired to assemble a blank, flaps 4| and 41 are opened, flaps 42 and 48 inserted, the wood strips 6| and 62 positioned, if these are employed, whereupon the end panels 5|, 52 and 53 are folded to move end panel 53 into locking position. This can be achieved with great rapidity by hand or by machine.

The frictional engagement between the edges of outer end panels 53 and the inside faces of side panels 36 is sufficient to retain the container in assembled position. The depth of end panels 5| and 52 is such that panel 52 overlies the support flaps (Figures 4, 5 and 6) and provides a seal or cover for these, side panels 33 and 36 being cut away as at 60 to permit this.

Because of the presence of wood strips 6|, a bottom cleat 63 can be readily affixed as by nails 64; a top cleat 66 can also be attached in like manner to wood strips 62, as is shown in Figure '7. If desired, a separate top or lid 61 (Figure 8) can be attached directly to the container as in Figures 5 and 6; such a top includes several slats 10 joined together by cleats 68 and through which nails 69 can be inserted to retain the lid 61 in place.

Referring particularly to Figures 5 and 6, it will be noted that the nails penetrate the foldable stock as well as the wood, and thus assist in retaining the structure in assembled position. Strips BI and 62 can be made of fibre-board joined together by an adhesive and of a thickness sufficient to retain the nails utilized to secure a cleat or lid. Whether made of wood or fibre, either or both of the strips 6| and 62 can be secured in position on a blank by an adhesive so that the strips are in position and the blank need only be folded and interleaved to complete the container.

The blanks shown particularly in Figures 1, 2 and 3 are most readily manufactured by die cutting operations. Where it is desired to produce a relatively large number of blanks at low unit cost, it may be preferred to employ the facilities provided by the so-called printer-slotter construction. In Figures 11, 12 and 13 I have shown a blank modified slightly and which can be made readily with the usual printer-slotter equipment.

Referring particularly to Figure 11, I have indicated a suitable rectangular blank I 0 I having four slots I62, I83, I04 and I05 made at each end of the blank, the slots being against instead of with the corrugation or grain of the blank. Crease or score lines I08, I81, I88 and I89 extend respectively between cuts I62, I03, I04 and I05 at each end of the blank; one can use double or single crease scores, as desired, and in the drawing, single crease scores have been shown. The blank is then scored transversely, as is shown in Figure 12, with olfset crease lines IIO, III, H2, H3 and H4 extending across the blank, crease lines I I8 and I I being offset with respect to each other and with respect to crease line I I2 to define compression support flaps H6 and I I1 and to enable these to be folded inwardly and interleaved, as has been described in connection with Figure 9; crease lines I I3 and I I4 are similarly offset with respect to crease line II2 to define compression support flaps H8 and H9 and permit these to be interleaved. The slots I03 and I04 provide end panels generally indicated at I2I on opposite sides of the main panel I22; end panels I2I are also transversely slotted as at I23 and I24, to provide a first end panel section I26, and intermediate end panel sections I21, and an outer end panel section I28. Thus, the blank corresponds generally to that shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, including main panel I22, end panels I2 I, compression support flaps I I6, II1, I I8 and H9, and first and second side wall panels |3I and I32.

In accordance with this invention, when printer-slotter construction is used to provide the blank of the present invention, the height of first and second side panels I3I and I32 and their respective extensions are such in relation to the height of panel I26 that when the compression support flaps H6 and H1 are interleaved with the compression support flaps l I 8 and H9, on the opposite side, sufiicient space exists between the top of the interleaved compression support flaps and end panel section I21 to permit of the insertion of a nailing strip. Each end of the assembled final container will then have the appearance, in section, as is shown in Figure 6. In this construction, the lower edges of the interleaved compressibn support flaps H6, H1, H8 and H9, rests against the main panel I 22. If desired, a nailing strip can be affixed by stitching, stapling or an adhesive to the area indicated at I36 in Figure 13. Similarly, a nailing strip can be aifixed as at A37 in Figure 13 and the respective side panels and their extensions overlapped to provide a partially assembled structure which is ready for shipping. This construction enables the ends of the container to be made of a height equal to that employed in the usual lug box while the side panels are slightly reduced in height, thus improving ventilation of the articles in the container.

In the event that the contents placed in the container have a relatively great density and if it is desired to avoid sagging of the bottom of the assembled container, the structure shown in Figure 14 may be used to advantage. This is an insert, indicated at 3M corresponding in rectangular outline to that of the bottom panel or wall. In fact, the length along side 30? corresponds exactly to the inside length within the container between the end walls. The insert has a crease score 303 running down the middle of the insert, the combined width of panels 394 and 365 on each side of crease 393 being greater than the width of the bottom wall or panel so that when the insert is in position in the container, it is arched over the bottom wall or panel of the container thereby distributing a, substantial portion of the weight of the materials in the container to the side walls and to the outer portion of the bottom wall. Such an arched insert also gives an improved appearance to articles packed in the container.

From the foregoing, I believe it will be apparent that I have provided a novel, simple and improved container construction which can be readily manufactured from any one of the readily available and relatively inexpensive materials such as corrugated paper board and the like by die-cutting the blank or by the so-called printerslotter construction. Ventilation openings or slots can be provided to the extent and wherever desired.

I claim:

1. A container comprising a single integral piece of sheet material such as paperboard cut, scored and folded to provide a generally rectangular bottom wall, an end wall extending upwardly from each of one pair of opposite edges of said bottom wall, each end wall including an outer panel and an inner panel disposed in substantially parallel spaced relationship to one another and joined along their upper edges, a side wall extending upwardly from each of one pair of opposite edges of said bottom wall, each side wall including an outer panel and an inner panel joined together along their upper marginal edges, each end of each of said outer and inner panels of each side wall having an end wall reinforcing panel hinged thereto and projecting therefrom parallel to and between said end wall panels, each of said end Wall reinforcing panels being of a length corresponding substantially to the length of the end wall adjacent thereto, the said reinforcing panels at corresponding ends of said side wall panels being disposed in overlapping and face-to-face relation to one another and in substantially parallel relation to and between the said outer and inner panels of the respectively adjacent end wall, said reinforcing panels being substantially coextensive with one another, the upper edges of said reinforcing panels being spaced substantially below the overlying juncture of the adjacent end wall panels, and a nailing strip in each end wall, each nailing strip extending along and across the said upper edges of all of said reinforcing panels of an end wall and within the space between the juncture of such end wall panels and such upper edges of the reinforcing panels.

2. A container comprising a single piece of material such a paperboard cut, scored and.

folded to provide a one-piece bottom wall of rectangular shape, a side wall integrally hinged along and extending upward perpendicularly from each of one pair of opposite marginal edges of the bottom wall, an end wall integrally hinged along and extending upward perpendicularly from each of the other pair of opposite marginal edges of the bottom wall, each end wall including an outer panel and an inner panel joined and spaced by an intermediate panel along their upper marginal edges, said outer and inner panels of each end wall being disposed in spaced and substantially parallel relationship to one another over their respective end wall forming areas, each of the side walls having a pair of substantially rectangular end wall reinforcing panels hinged to and extending from each end edge thereof across at least a major part of the adjacent end of the container between the outer and inner panels thereof and in face to face parallel relation to one another and to such inner and outer end wall panels, the reinforcing panels having their upper horizontally extending edges terminated at a predetermined distance below the intermediate panel of such end wall, and a nailing strip disposed across and along the horizontally extending edges of the reinforcing panels at each end of the container and held between such edges, said intermediate panel and the inner and outer end wall panels thereat.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,424,830 Kotterman Aug. 8, 1922 1,696,341 Blanchard Dec. 25, 1928 1,728,894 Oppenheim Sept. 17, 1929 1,906,622 Kondolf May 2, 1933 1,997,909 Luce Apr. 16, 1935 2,121,190 Fellowe June 21, 1938 2,262,267 Boeye Nov. 11, 1941 2,389,890 Borah Nov. 27, 1945 2.594.628 Evans Apr. 29, 1952 

